Pledge on flooding problems

Rebecca Draper

Flooding issues blighting the Fylde were debated at the first meeting of the borough’s Flood Action Group.

And at the meeting, the Environment Agency pledged to look into how water can be drained from the brooks and dykes around Lytham, as well as investigating options to help solve the problem by the end of the year.

Fylde MP Mark Menzies said he would lobby the Government for extra funding for the work.

For the farmers, a solution can’t come quick enough as even now, in the hottest days of the year, brooks are full of water because it cannot get into the sea.

Tim Laycock, of Lawns Farm, said: “We’ve had no rain for nearly three weeks, and the water at Saltcoates Bridge is five-foot deep. It should be empty.”

Coun Tommy Threlfall, cabinet member for the environment, said: “I am pleased some progress is being made.”

Andy Brown, Area Flood Risk Manager, said: “We are carrying out a project to look at issues in the river system in the Lytham area comprising Liggard Brook, Birks Watercourse and Main Drain.

“We will be replacing the penstock valves at Dock Bridge pumping station on Lytham Road later this summer, while also carrying out desilt work downstream of the pumping station to ensure the station outfall is kept clear. We are working in partnership with our flood risk management authorities to investigate other instances of flooding elsewhere in the Fylde area.”

The meeting was set up in response to growing concerns about flooded and saturated land which has been destroying crops across the Fylde in recent years.

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